The New York Times once described Venice as “undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man”. Today, this northeastern Italian city is among many popular destinations grappling with overtourism. While most of us know Venice as a charming tourist destination, immortalised in popular culture, it’s the city’s rich history from the Middle Ages and Renaissance that continues to captivate me. As I walked through the Fincantieri shipyard, I found it easy to time-travel and visualise the Venetian Arsenal.
Cruise control
The all-new Norwegian Aqua is all set to join the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in 2025, promising innovations to cruise holidays
It wasn’t my interest in maritime history that brought me to Porto Maghera in Venice. It was a hard-hat tour of an upcoming cruise liner. The all-new Norwegian Aqua is all set to join the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in 2025, promising innovations to cruise holidays. It’s one thing to go on a behind-the-scenes tour of a new hotel or restaurant, but as I discovered, a large cruise ship is a whole different ball game. There are very few new cruise ships that are launched each year despite the industry making a sharp recovery after the pandemic. According to Statista, cruise passengers are likely to surpass the 35 million mark this year — a sevenfold increase from 2021.
A roller coaster and waterslide at sea
The Aqua Slidecoaster is just what you need for an adrenaline boost on a cruise
It’s difficult to explain or visualise the scale of a large cruise liner to someone who hasn’t boarded one. You could compare it to one of those massive Las Vegas hotels with thousands of rooms, but even that doesn’t quite capture it. This scale became even more overwhelming as I trudged across different decks, interacting with the sizeable team working tirelessly to prepare the Aqua for sailing by 2025. I saw the framework for the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide at sea. Norwegian calls it the Aqua Slidecoaster, and it’s just what you need for an adrenaline boost on a cruise.
The Venetian Arsenal
You can visit the Venice Naval History Museum that offers an interesting perspective on the maritime legacy of the Republic of Venice Shutterstock
Fincantieri is one of the world’s premier shipbuilders for cruise ships and its location close to the historic Venetian Arsenal is no coincidence. The Arsenal has widely been recognised as the world’s first large industrial complex that predated the Industrial Revolution and goes back over nine centuries. By the 16th century, the Arsenal hit its production peak with 16,000 workers who were able to produce on ship a day on average. You can visit the Venice Naval History Museum that offers an interesting perspective on the maritime legacy of the Republic of Venice. Centuries before Venice became the city of romance, it was one of the world’s most powerful financial hubs. Venice’s financial prowess and a free spirit led to the city becoming one of the true cradles of the renaissance and the city’s palazzos became a treasure trove of art and artefacts.
More than just a gondola ride
I must confess, I never intended to visit Venice when I first arrived here a decade ago. But three visits later, I’m glad I gave in to the curious Marco Polo (himself a Venetian) within me. While my first Venetian journey began on a gondola, I soon discovered that Venice is much more than a gondola ride. If you’re keen on fascinating discoveries, make time to get lost in Venice’s labyrinth of cobbled streets. My first unplanned detour led me to Rialto Market, immortalised in The Merchant of Venice. It was here that Shylock and his fellow Venetian merchants gathered — a vibrant market now bustling with local produce and fresh catch of the day. The market sits next to the city’s best-known bridge, the Rialto Bridge, often referred to as Shylock’s bridge. It was the first bridge across the Grand Canal — Venice’s lifeline and main waterway. Over 170 historic buildings, constructed between the 13th and 18th centuries, line the Grand Canal.
Bridge of Sighs
Do visit the Palace of the Doge, now a spectacular museum that allows you to visualise Venice at the height of its power
Do make time to visit the Palace of the Doge, now a spectacular museum that allows you to visualise Venice at the height of its power. It’s a remarkable complex — complete with the infamous dungeons at the very bottom. It was here that I gazed out from Venice’s other famous bridge — the Bridge of Sighs, the last view convicts had of the city’s azure waterways. For music and art lovers, no visit to the city is complete without a stop at Teatro La Fenice, Venice’s opulent theatre that has risen like a phoenix from three fires. The historic St Mark’s Basilica, dating back to 1092 AD, is one of the world’s finest examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture, with interiors covered in gold-ground mosaics.
A glimpse of Burano, which is equally famous for its lacework and multicoloured homes
This year, I ventured beyond Venice’s alleys and waterways in search of new experiences. One such boat trip took me to the island of Burano, equally famous for its lacework and multicoloured homes.
A Hollywood hideout
Cruise travel has evolved over the last decade and remains a favourite of Hollywood A-listers like George Clooney
Hotel Excelsior, on the glamorous island of Lido, was the perfect setting for unveiling the new experiences aboard the upcoming Norwegian Aqua. This hotel has been associated with the Venice Film Festival since the 1930s and remains a favourite of Hollywood A-listers like George Clooney. It offers a luxurious beach resort experience with easy access to the heart of Venice. The Moorish architectural elements and the larger-than-life black-and-white images of Hollywood stars in the lobby add to its allure. It was here that I witnessed a sort of reincarnation of Prince. The new Aqua will feature an entirely new show, Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, which will showcase the music icon’s hits like Purple Rain. Cruise travel has evolved over the last decade with new entertainment and immersive dining experiences. And if you do decide to sign up for a European cruise, there’s a good chance you’ll stop by Venice. I’ve sworn I’ll never come back. I complain about the tourists (myself included), yet I keep returning. There’s simply no place quite like Venice.
